Quiet Moments

14 - A Wonderful Moment

Blodreina, the ruthless leader of Wonkru, walked down the dimly lit corridors of the bunker, her mind swirling with the chaos and conflicts of the day. She had dealt with disputes, issued harsh orders, and confronted treachery within her ranks. The weight of leadership pressed heavily on her shoulders, and all she wanted was to retreat to her quarters and let the tears she held back all day flow freely.

As she approached her door, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the inevitable solitude and darkness. But when she opened the door, she was greeted by an unexpected sight. Jade was standing on the bed, her bare feet bouncing on the mattress, a wide smile on her face as she listened to music from a battered old CD player. The song "Wonderful" by Chantal Kreviazuk filled the room, its soft melody and hopeful lyrics a stark contrast to the harshness of the bunker.

Octavia blinked, momentarily stunned by the scene. Jade looked so carefree, so full of life, that it was hard to reconcile with the grim reality outside their quarters.

"Jade?" Octavia's voice was hoarse, a mix of confusion and exhaustion.

Jade looked up, her smile widening when she saw Octavia. "Hey, you. Tough day?"

Octavia nodded, her shoulders slumping. "You have no idea."

Jade jumped down from the bed, crossing the room in a few quick steps. She took Octavia's hands in hers, squeezing them gently. "Then you're just in time. Come on, jump with me. It'll make you feel better."

Octavia hesitated, the weight of her responsibilities pulling her down. "I don't know, Jade. I'm not really in the mood."

Jade's eyes sparkled with determination. "That's exactly why you need this. Trust me."

Before Octavia could protest, Jade pulled her towards the bed. With a resigned sigh, Octavia kicked off her boots and climbed onto the mattress. Jade turned up the volume on the CD player, and the music swelled around them, filling the room with its uplifting tune.

Jade started bouncing on the bed again, her laughter infectious. Octavia stood still for a moment, feeling awkward and out of place. But as she watched Jade's joy, a small smile tugged at her lips. Slowly, she began to bounce, her movements tentative at first, but growing more confident with each jump.

"That's it!" Jade cheered, her voice bright with encouragement. "Just let go, Octavia. Forget everything else for a while."

Octavia closed her eyes, focusing on the rhythm of the music and the sensation of the mattress beneath her feet. She started to laugh, a sound she hadn't heard from herself in what felt like ages. Jade's laughter joined hers, and together, they bounced and danced on the bed, their worries momentarily forgotten.

The song's chorus filled the room, its lyrics striking a chord deep within Octavia's heart:

"But it's wonderful to see that you're okay,And it's wonderful to know you're in this way,And it's wonderful to see that you're okay."

As the music played, Octavia felt something inside her begin to heal. The burdens of leadership, the constant struggle, the fear and doubt—they all seemed to fade in the face of this simple, joyful moment.

Jade grabbed Octavia's hands, spinning her around in a playful dance. Octavia let herself be twirled, her laughter ringing out louder than the music. It felt liberating, a release of all the pent-up emotions she had been holding back.

When the song ended, they collapsed onto the bed, breathless and giggling. Octavia lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling, a sense of peace washing over her.

"Thank you," she said softly, turning her head to look at Jade.

Jade propped herself up on one elbow, her eyes warm with affection. "Anytime, Octavia. You deserve moments like this. We both do."

Octavia reached out, her fingers brushing against Jade's cheek. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Jade leaned into the touch, her smile gentle. "You don't have to find out. I'm here, always."

They lay there in silence for a while, the CD player softly cycling through the rest of the album. Octavia felt a sense of calm she hadn't felt in a long time, a quiet strength that came from knowing she wasn't alone.

"I wish things were different," Octavia admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wish we didn't have to fight so hard just to survive."

Jade nodded, her expression somber. "I know. But we have each other, and that's something. We can find joy in the little things, like old CDs and bouncing on the bed."

Octavia smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling. "You're right. It's the little things that keep us going."

Jade shifted closer, her hand resting on Octavia's heart. "Exactly. And as long as we have moments like this, we can face whatever comes our way."

Octavia covered Jade's hand with her own, feeling the steady beat of her heart beneath their intertwined fingers. "I love you," she said, the words carrying the weight of all the emotions she struggled to express.

Jade's eyes softened, her voice tender. "I love you too, Octavia. More than anything."They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other's warmth, finding solace in their connection. The world outside might be harsh and unforgiving, but in these stolen moments, they found a measure of peace.

Eventually, Jade reached over and turned off the CD player, the room falling into a comfortable silence. She settled back down beside Octavia, her head resting on her shoulder.

"You know," Jade said thoughtfully, "we should do this more often. Find little ways to escape, even if it's just for a few minutes."

Octavia nodded, her eyes drifting closed. "I'd like that. A lot."

Jade's fingers traced gentle patterns on Octavia's arm, a soothing rhythm that lulled her into a state of deep relaxation. "Then it's a promise. We'll make time for moments like this, no matter how busy or crazy things get."

Octavia smiled, a sense of hope blooming in her chest. "It's a promise."

As they lay there, the stress and exhaustion of the day melted away, replaced by a quiet sense of contentment. They didn't need grand gestures or elaborate plans—just each other and the simple joys they could find together.

In the quiet of their quarters, with the remnants of the music lingering in the air, Octavia felt a glimmer of hope for the future. No matter how dark the days became, she knew she could always find light and love in Jade's presence.

And with that thought, she drifted off to sleep, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time.